Nespresso Pixie Descaling Guide (EN125, BEC430)

How to Descale a Nespresso Pixie

Empty the drip tray and capsule container, then put 0.5 L of water plus Nespresso descaling liquid in the tank. Switch the machine on and press both coffee buttons for 3 seconds until they blink. Press Lungo until the tank is empty, then run the collected solution through again. Rinse with fresh water and exit with both buttons. It takes about 15 minutes.

The Pixie has no descale light. Its manuals time descaling by cups and water hardness instead: after 1,000 cups with hard water, 2,000 with medium and 4,000 with soft.

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Which Pixie Do You Have?

Two Pixies share the name, and they exit descaling differently.

Check whether your Pixie has a separate power button.

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What You Need

The manuals warn: "Do not use other products (such as vinegar) that would affect the taste of the coffee." The descaling solution "can be harmful", so avoid contact with eyes, skin and surfaces.

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When to Descale

The manuals count cups as 40 ml espressos.

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Step 1: Prepare the Machine

1. Remove the capsule and close the lever.
2. Empty the drip tray and the used capsule container.
3. Fill the tank with 0.5 L of water and add the Nespresso descaling liquid.
4. Place a container of at least 0.6 L under the coffee outlet.

Time: 2 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

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Step 2: Enter Descaling Mode

1. Switch the machine on. EN125: press ON/OFF. BEC430: press a coffee button.
2. Press both coffee buttons together for 3 seconds. They start blinking.
3. Blinking means it's heating up. Steady means it's ready.

Time: About 1 minute
Difficulty: Easy

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Step 3: Run the Solution Through Twice

1. Press Lungo and wait until the tank is empty.
2. Pour the collected solution back into the tank.
3. Press Lungo again until it's empty.

Time: About 8 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

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Step 4: Rinse and Exit

1. Empty and rinse the tank. Fill it with fresh drinking water.
2. Press Lungo to rinse. BEC430: repeat the rinse once more.
3. Exit descaling mode: press both buttons for 3 seconds (BEC430) or 1 second (EN125).

The machine is ready to use.

Time: About 4 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

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Before Storage: Empty the System

The manuals also describe emptying the machine before a long break or a move. That's a different job from descaling.

• Pixie Refresh (BEC430): turn it off with both buttons. Remove the tank, close the lever and place a container. Press both buttons for 3 seconds: the lights blink alternately, and the machine switches off when it's done.
• Pixie (EN125): switch it off. Remove the tank, close the lever and place a container. Hold Espresso and switch the machine on. It switches off by itself.

The Pixie Refresh manual also says to empty the tank if you won't use the machine for an extended period, and to replace the water after a weekend without use.

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If Something Goes Wrong

• Lights flash irregularly: the manuals' answer is "Exit descaling procedure" or "Call the Nespresso Club".
• Front light red (EN125): the tank is empty or needs cleaning.
• No coffee, no water: fill the tank and descale if necessary. Pixie: "Lift the lever. Press one coffee button and wait until water comes out."
• The both-buttons hold isn't a reset. The Pixie's factory reset uses the Lungo button (BEC430: Lungo for 5 seconds with the machine off).

More: Pixie not working.

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FAQ

Does the Nespresso Pixie have a descale light?

No. The manuals time it by cups and water hardness: every 1,000 cups with hard water, 2,000 with medium and 4,000 with soft.

How long does descaling a Pixie take?

About 15 minutes.

Can I descale a Pixie with vinegar?

No. The manuals say not to use other products such as vinegar, which affect the taste of the coffee.

How do I get my Pixie out of descaling mode?

Press both coffee buttons together: for 3 seconds on the Pixie Refresh (BEC430), or 1 second on the EN125.

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Related Nespresso Guides

• Nespresso Pixie Not Working?
• Nespresso Pixie Leaking?
• Nespresso CitiZ Descaling Guide
• Nespresso CitiZ vs Pixie

Sources: Nespresso Pixie user manuals (EN125, De'Longhi 2017; Pixie Refresh BEC430, Breville US 2018).